Q1. What are the qualifications to join a short-term missions trip? The most important qualification we require is a born-again believer through Jesus with a heart to outreach cross culturally to other ethnic people-groups in Africa. Candidates must attend an orientation session, offered by CIM, to prepare him/herself for the things/situations they may encounter during the trip.

Q2. What can I do in Ghana and Togo?

Ghana: We are involved in ministries mainly in rural villages in central and northern Ghana. STM’ers play a vital role in our ministry. We evangelize through visitations, presenting the gospel message, share our testimonies, speak at church services, visit clinics and hospitals, organize children and youth programs and serve in three village schools where we help train Christian teachers and spread the gospel through various means like VBS.

Togo: The ministries in Togo are mainly in the areas of visitation and evangelism, through the sharing of testimonies/gospel messages in open meetings and radio broadcasting; outreaching/discipleshipping to children and youths; and training for church planters.

Q3. What will be the language used to communicate with the local people? English is the official language of Ghana while French in Togo. However, since most of our STM teams are visiting the rural areas in both countries, we rely on local Christians or pastors to help translate our messages into the local dialects from English or French.

Q4. What is the best time of the year to go to Ghana and Togo?

We do not follow a fixed schedule to send teams to those countries during the year. Instead, we form teams or group interested individuals to go together at their most convenient period of time.

Depending on the ministries you will be involved in, we can accommodate most times during the year. However, due to the high interest of STM teams especially during the summer months, it is advisable to complete your application form at least half a year before travel.

Q5. How long is each STM?

We require a minimum of 2 weeks stay in the missions field for all our short-term missions trips in order to make these trips effective for their intended purposes.

A short term missions trip to rural villages in Ghana and Togo requires 2 days travel one way (one entire day to fly to the capitals of the respective countries and then an additional day to travel to the ministry locations).

Q6. What is the budget? The approximate cost of the trip is roughly CA$3000. The largest portion of the money is for the airfare which will vary depending on the time of year you travel. Vaccinations and malaria medication may be in the CA$300-CA$500 range while the rest would be for accommodations, food, and local transport.

Q7. If my church is not sending a team, is it possible for me still to go? Yes. Many people apply individually. In this case, once the application process is completed, we will try and put the person onto a team comprised of others that do not have a church to go with or to add them to a church team with fewer members.

Q8. Is there any maximum for the number of people in a team? Yes. In the Togo case, the number should not exceed 6 to ease the local accommodation and transportation arrangement, especially if there is no one in the group who speaks French.Q9. What kind of vaccinations and medications are required? All members going must get the Yellow Fever vaccination as it is mandatory to apply for Ghana VISA and to enter Ghana. Members should also take anti-malarial pills.